At least that impression one gets watching a Winter Wren foraging for food. These very small dark colored birds with a very pronounced turned up tail are hard to see much less photograph as they make their way around dense underbrush usually near water. In fact I don’t think we’ve ever seen one very far from water although that could be due to the fact that we spent a large amount of our time looking for birds near water along the Scioto River in Griggs Reservoir Park.

Winter Wren along the Scioto River, (Donna).

Study 2, (Donna).

Study 3.

Study 4.

Winter Wren habitat along the Scioto River.

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From the very small to very large, a Sycamore along the Scioto River. What could it tell us of this place if it could talk?

Sycamore along the Scioto, (Donna).

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This time of year it’s always a joy when common birds entertain us. Not so easy to capture in their natural habitat away from feeders.

Carolina Chickadee, Griggs Park.

Carolina Chickadee, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Tufted Titmouse, Griggs Park.

Study 2.

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While closer to the ground there is still a presence of green, in many areas overhead it’s a different story.

Almost always heard before they’re seen this Carolina Wren was determined to get noticed, along the Scioto River below Griggs Dam.

Song Sparrow, Griggs Park.

We were looking for the Winter Wren but some previously hard to fine Golden-crowned Kinglets kept getting in the way, along the Scioto below Griggs Dam.

Take 2.

A noisy Northern Flicker also demanded to be noticed, Griggs Park.

This Dark-eyed Junco was acting like it might have hurt feelings if I didn’t take it’s picture, Griggs Park.

Goldfinch, winter plumage, Griggs Park.

Wait, you’re not a bird!, Griggs Park, (Donna).

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A fascinating and unexpected find during a recent walk along the Scioto River was this very nice example of a Horn Coral fossil. The fossil was about 4 inches long!

Rugose corals, often called “horn corals”, because their form may resemble the horn of a cow or goat. This coral became extinct at or near the end of the Permian period, about 240 million years ago. It first appeared in the early Ordovician period and peaked during the Devonian. photo by Donna. Ref: http://fallsoftheohio.org/DevonianCorals.html

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Up until just four days ago warm weather was allowing some of our insect friends to hang around but with this mornings temperature around 20F we don’t expect to see them again any time soon.

So long until next spring! (Donna).

Likewise! (Donna)

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Given that it’s Thanksgiving week here in central Ohio the next bird we will be investigating will probably be a turkey. On that note we wish everyone a happy holiday. Thanks for stopping by.

Milkweed seeds take flight, Griggs Park, (Donna).

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Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.

For those of you that follow this blog you know that we spend a lot of time walking in one park near our home. Part of the fascination has been to see what we can discover in this one specific location throughout the year. As the seasons change, it’s often about what we don’t see as much as what we do. From our house the park is also the perfect distance for a long walk which adds to the overall satisfaction of the experience. Finally, without making too much work out of it, we also try to help keep the park free of cans, bottles and other litter which provides a sense of ownership and makes the place just that much more special.

The leaves are mostly on the ground now in Griggs Park.

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Having provided a rather circuitous introduction you’re probably wondering where this is going. Well it’s about the Kinglets! Several weeks ago we saw quite a few Golden and Ruby Crown Kinglets along the Scioto River below the Griggs Dam but since then nothing. Were had they gone? Had our timing since then just been bad? We were starting to wonder. Would we again see these little birds that do so much to brighten up late fall and winter in central Ohio?

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In then a few days ago, in the company of Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers, there they were.

Golden Crown Kinglet along the Scioto below Griggs Dam.

Take 2.

Take 3, (Donna)

Take 4, (Donna).

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. . . and not far away.

Downy Woodpecker (F), a common resident this time of year.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker contrasts nicely with the fall color.

A male Cardinal in the afternoon sun puts a smile on our face.

Male Bluebird Griggs Park. They are easy to spot this time of year.

Dark Eyed Junco, a winter visitor from the north, Griggs Park.

Take 2.

A Song Sparrow with attitude, (Donna).

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Red-tailed Hawks are hard to miss this time of year.

Red-tailed Hawk, Griggs Park.

Take 2.

Take 3.

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My wife was trying to figure out what this crow was doing.

Crow playing with Northern Catalpa seed pod, (Donna)

Take 2.

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And as always there have been other things to notice.

A Fox Squirrel checks us out, Griggs Park.

Stink Horn mushroom, Griggs Park, only this one example was found.

Amazingly, after a number of below freezing nights, we continue to see butterflies, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Not in the best shape but pretty amazing considering the time of year.

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Donna tried her hand at capturing the often ignored shapes and designs of late fall.

Take 1.

Take 2.

Take 3.

Take 4.

Take 5.

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On future walks we hope the kinglets, along with their friends, will continue to charm and fascinate making this time of year just a little brighter. Thanks for stopping by.

Sunset, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).

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Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.

It’s the first part of November and the autumn colors have hung around a lot longer than usual. We thought about taking a drive down to the Hocking Hills in SE Ohio, a hilly part of the state that’s especially beautiful this time of year, but opted for a few long walks in Griggs Park instead. Can’t say that I feel like we missed anything by not taking the drive.

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Landscape photography in Griggs Park can be a challenge due to the amount of extraneous subjects that can distract so taking time to study vantage points and light is essential to capturing what one wants.

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I’ve been fascinated by the park’s picnic tables for a number of years particular when they are in an isolated setting. Now mostly deserted it’s as if they are still waiting patiently without a complaint for someone to sit down. Fall color adds to the visual interest. Perhaps B&W would also say what I wanted.

Griggs Park picnic table.

Black and White

Picnic Table 2.

Picnic Table 3.

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The paths and roads in the park can be delightful and almost magical this time of year. Capturing that feeling is always rewarding.

Along Griggs Reservoir.

Path at waters edge, Griggs Park.

Park path, Griggs Park.

Park road, Griggs Park.

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Sometimes it’s just a tree that enchants.

Afternoon sun, Griggs Park.

Sycamore, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Tree trunks, Griggs Park.

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At first one notices the big things but before long smaller things, leaves and flowers start to tell their story.

Maple leaves, Griggs Park.

Leaves along the Scioto.

Reflections, Griggs Reservoir.

Teasel, Griggs Park, (Donna)

Leaf, Griggs Reservoir.

Fleabane, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Milkweed, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Chicory, Griggs Park.

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Don’t tell the insects it’s the first of November. However, for the squirrels and chipmunks that are getting ready for winter, it’s just that busy time of year.

A bumblebee makes due with a flower past it’s prime, (Donna).

Gray Squirrel, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Sharp-stigma Looper, (Donna).

Comma, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Chipmunk, Griggs Park.

Variegated Fritillary, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Common Checkered Skipper spending time with a Clouded Sulphur, Griggs Park, (Donna).

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The birds, local residents as well as migrants from the north, also seemed to be celebrating the color of the season.

Goldfinch, Griggs Park, (Donna).

We were surprised to see this immature male Red Winged Blackbird, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Chipping Sparrow, Griggs Park, (Donna).

As if the leaves weren’t pretty enough, a Goldfinch completes the picture, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Carolina Wren, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Along the Scioto River autumn color creates a beautiful backdrop for this female Belted Kingfisher, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Dark-eyed Junco, a migrant from the north, Griggs Park, (Donna).

White-breasted Nuthatch, Griggs Park, (Donna).

A Great Blue Heron looking for lunch, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Male Mallard Duck, Griggs Reservoir.

White-throated Sparrow, another migrant from the north, Griggs Park.

Tufted Titmouse, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Take 2, (Donna).

Male Bluebird, Griggs Park.

Take 2.

A male Cardinal seems to blend right in, Griggs Park, (Donna).

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Oh, I almost forgot, for those that are on the edge of their seat wondering how my autumn Smallmouth Bass quest is coming , here’s an update:

Channel cats have been more cooperative. They are fun to catch but not what I’m looking for, Griggs Reservoir.

. . . and then a few days later a measure of success! Since I’m a firm believer that the work begins when you put the fish on the stringer they are all released. The fish seem to be happy about that decision.

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When writing this blog at often occurs to me that it’s largely for internal consumption, a way of marking time, documenting life, and making it sacred. On that note we hope readers have found natural areas close to home that enchant and have enjoyed autumn in those special places as much as we have in ours. Thanks for stopped by.

xxx

Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.